Abstract: A block copolymer for use in the fabrication of bioabsorbable articles such as monofilament surgical sutures is prepared by copolymerizing lactide and 1,4-dioxanone, and then polymerizing glycolide with the lactide/1,4-dioxanone copolymer.

Abstract: Synthetic absorbable sutures are filled with a stabilizing agent, preferably a mixture of glycerol and calcium lactate, and inserted into a retainer having a narrow convoluted passageway. The retainer is inserted into an open foil pouch with a package stabilizing element, such as a paper sheet filled with stabilizing agent. The package containing the suture, retainer and package stabilizing element is sterilized, aerated, equilibrated to a relatively high moisture level, and sealed. Long lengths of suture and doubled-over and tripled-over suture may be withdrawn from the retainer with low force without damaging the suture. Bends and kinks in the suture are prevented so as to provide a synthetic absorbable suture having highly desirable out of package hand and feel. The suture as removed from the package exhibits improved tissue drag characteristics.

Abstract: A semi-bioabsorbable connective tissue prosthesis, e.g., a replacement for the human anterior cruciate ligament, is provided whose stress-strain characteristics closely match those of the natural tissue.

Abstract: A semi-bioabsorbable connective tissue prosthesis, e.g., a replacement for the human anterior cruciate ligament, is provided whose stress-strain characteristics closely match those of the natural tissue.

Abstract: An absorbable, annealed surgical device made from a multi-phase, polymeric composition derived from lactide and glycolide. Preferably, the composition has two phases, both phases are continuous, the first phase has about 0-about 25%m glycolide moieties, the overall composition has up to 45%m glycolide moieties, and the first phase constitutes at least 50% (and preferably not more than about 95%) by weight of the composition. The device has a high distortion temperature, good resistance to hot-wet creep, but yet loses tensile strength in vivo quickly. The composition per se is injection-moldable, can be annealed, and is not brittle.

Abstract: An absorbable coating composition useful for coating sutures, said absorbable coating composition comprising a copolymer derived from (i) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol, glycolide monomer and lactide monomer or (ii) the copolymerization of a polyalkylene glycol and a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and multifilament sutures coated with same.

Abstract: The storage stability of a polymeric article susceptible to hydrolytic degradation, e.g., an absorbable suture manufactured from a polymer of glycolic acid, glycolide, lactic acid, lactide or combination thereof, is improved by applying a storage stabilizing amount of at least one water soluble hygroscopic polyhydroxy compound and/or ester thereof, e.g., glycerol, monoacetin, diacetin, and the like, to the article as storage stabilizing agent, said agent being retained by the article prior to sealing of the enclosure in which the suture is packaged.

Abstract: A braided suture is provided which exhibits perceptibly enhanced flexibility and hand as well as reduced chatter and drag compared to these same characteristics in a suture possessing substantially the same overall denier but possessing significantly fewer sheath yarns and denier of individual filaments than the braided suture herein.

Abstract: A composite yarn possessing a nonabsorbable, elastic core yarn component and an absorbable, relatively inelastic sheath yarn component is employed in the manufacture of a porous tubular prosthesis useful, e.g., in vascular reconstruction.

Abstract: An absorbable, annealed surgical device made from a multi-phase, polymeric composition derived from lactide and glycolide is disclosed. Preferably, the composition has two phases, both phases are continuous, the first phase has about 0 - about 25% m glycolide moieties, the overall composition has up to 45% m glycolide moieties, and the first phase constitutes at least 50% (and preferably not more than about 95%) by weight of the composition. The device has a high distortion temperature, good resistance to hot-wet creep, but yet loses tensile strength in vivo guickly. The composition per se is injection-moldable, can be annealed, and is not brittle.

Abstract: A process for making an adsorbable, annealed surgical device of a multi-phase, polymeric composition derived from lactide and glycolide. The process includes the preparation of a first polymer having predominantly lactide moieties, followed by the intimate mixing of particles of a second polymer containing a predominant amount of glycolide moieties, thereby forming a two-phase polymeric composition. The polymeric composition is then formed into a surgical device and annealed.

Abstract: An absorbable, annealed surgical device made from a multi-phase, polymeric composition derived from lactide and glycolide is disclosed. Preferably, the composition has two phases, both phases are continuous, the first phase has about 0-about 25% m glycolide moieties, the overall composition has up to 45% m glycolide moieties, and the first phase constitute at least 50% (and preferably not more than about 95%) by weight of the composition. The device has a high distortion temperature, good resistance to hot-wet creep, but yet loses tensile strength in vivo quickly. The composition per se is injection-moldable, can be annealed, and is not brittle.

Abstract: Absorbable, substantially amorphous surgical fasteners having good in vivo strength-retaining and absorption characteristics may be made of copolymers of lactide and glycolide made from 70-85% m lactide and 15-30% m glycolide provided the inherent viscosity and glass transition temperature of the copolymers have at least certain minimum values.

Abstract: A synthetic nonabsorbable surgical suture compound of segmented polyether - ester block copolymers is disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic nonabsorbable surgical suture compound of segmented polyether--ester block copolymers is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical needle comprising a point and dual cutting blades. The point is defined by a symmetrical angle of width and an angle of slope. The needle point geometry and the dual cutting blades provide a flap incision and a reduction in the tissue penetration properties.

Abstract: A synthetic nonabsorbable surgical suture compound of segmented polyether-ester block copolymers is disclosed.

Abstract: A synthetic nonabsorbable surgical suture compound of segmented polyether--ester block copolymers is disclosed.